Why can't Ganguly become national coach, questions Viswanath

Former captain Gundappa Viswanath feels that Sourav Ganguly is ideal candidate to replace Duncan Fletcher as the coach of the Indian team.

"If Gary Kirsten can become India coach, why can't Ganguly?

"But it all depends on the BCCI and Ganguly to take a decision on this matter," said Viswanath, who has come to Kolkata as a part of the felicitation function organised by the Cricket Association of Bengal to celebrate the 25-years of Indo-Pak ODIs at the Eden Gardens.

The touch artist from yesteryears also backed Mahendra Singh Dhoni stating that "minus the last two (three Test series) series, his (Dhoni) record has been pretty good."

"Every team goes through a rough patch. We have seen that happened with the West Indies as well as Australia. Some take a bit of time to bounce back. It's part of a cycle and India are also going through a similar cycle," Viswanath said.

But he hoped that India would emerge with flying colours in the next two ODIs.

"You have to put in a little bit of extra effort. I am sure India will shine and come out with flying colours. India were 8 down against England on the final day of the 1977 Test yet it was a full-house Eden Gardens.

"Such is the support we get here. Undoubtedly, it's the best centre that I've played in," Viswanath said.

Earlier he inaugurated a bed at the Calcutta Medical Research Institute exclusively made for the benefit of first-class cricketers of Bengal.